Page 163 of Vicious Saint
“You feel as though you’ve been forced into a position, a life, you never wanted. With people you barely even like.”
A sear rips down the back of my throat, rendering me speechless.
“Trust me, Hendrix. I don’t blame you.”
My head quirks his way. “You don’t? Why?”
“Because I’d feel the exact same way.”
I turn boldly to face him, and he does the same.
“What’s this about, Vic?”
“A few things…but I’d like to start with my mistake, if that’s alright with you.”
I nod.
“In all my efforts making promises to your mother, I realized recently that I’ve left out someone who is just as deserving. If not more.” After a heavy pause, Vic adds, “That someone being you.”
“It’s fine.” I shake my head, not wanting a man like him to ever feel guilty for falling in love with my mom.
“No, it’s absolutely not fine. Please let me finish.”
I nod again, but this time as the one unable to meet his gaze.
“I never gave you the chance to get to know me, and for that I am sorry…because if I did then you’d know I am always a man, husband, and father of honor. So I’m promising you right now, Hendrix, as we stand in this hallway in front of my great, great, great grandmother Esme who was awonderfulwoman, that I will make it my life’s duty to care for and protect you and your mother. Even your aunt.”
“We don’t need you to take care of us.”
The words were not meant to sound as slighted as they were, but I can’t help it. I’ve never had a man besides my grandfather ever make such heavy promises.
“I know that, and I respect it. But I’m also a man of tradition.”
“And I can respect that.”
“Good,” his head dips to meet my eyes, “because being under my care does not take away from you, your mother, or your aunt’s independence. All it does is confirm I will be the one at the frontlines."
There aren’t many ways to argue with such a bold declaration, especially when I know, without a shadow of a doubt, Vic means it. But standing before me at the frontlines does not justify keeping secrets.
“So if we’re a team like you claim, then I deserve to know what kind of trouble we’re in.”
“That, unfortunately, is not something I’m willing to do.”
“Why not?”
“Because, Hendrix, like I mentioned before, I am a man of honor.”
“Yeah, well, a man of honor wouldn’t hide shit from me.”
“He would if it was to protect you.”
“Protect me from the trouble—who—caused exactly?”
Not once did I think Vic was capable of masking his emotions as well as Saint, but right now, it’s like staring at the same blank canvas.
“Everyone has parts of their pasts they’d like to forget, but it doesn’t mean they go away.”
“More cryptic shit. Awesome.”
